Historical Commission Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2023

OPENING:
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Coughlan at 7:15 PM, technical difficulties accessing zoom caused the delay.  Secretary Evans announced that the meetings would no longer be recorded, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Secretary Mark Evans continued with Member Roll Call and introduction of guests.

1. Dawn Coughlan – Vice Chair/ Liaison to OCHS
2. Mark Evans – Secretary
3. Donna DiPrinzio - Treasurer
4. Patty DeFrocia
5. Tom Parr
6. Lorraine Tindaro
7. Lisa Shields

Historical Commission Member Attendees: 7 = Quorum (7 in-person, 0 remote)
Historical Commission Members Absent (4):

1. Paul Stephens – Excused
2. Cathy Callahan – Excused
3. Jamie Evans – Excused
4. Leah Jennings – Excused

Historical Commission Guests (2):

• Nat Belluso (Zoom)
• Mike Bedrick

Approval of 4/19/23 Minutes
Vice-Chair Coughlan asked if there were any comments or questions regarding the minutes of our 4/19/23 meeting. Hearing none she asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the April 19th meeting.
Moved by Tom P
Second by Patty D
Vote called by Vice-Chair Coughlan
Motion passed 7-0
OLD BUSINESS:

1. MEMBERSHIP
   1. Nothing to report. Active membership stands at 11.
2. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
   1. SPACKMAN FARM
      1. Mark had no update on possible repairs to house roof and porch, but said he’d included our concerns in his 5/11 Hx Com update to the BOC.
      2. Patty D reported that the rain gutter on the farmhouse still has not been repaired and has been hanging loose for over a month. Mark shared that he’d also mentioned this concern in his 5/11 BOC update and afterward received an email from Mr. Stackhouse that the township was renting a lift on 5/15 to make the repair. Tom P will follow up.
   2. MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
      1. Lorraine reported she had sent the transcribed LaRusa/Real schoolhouse wedding interview to the Hx Com members and also shared it and accompanying photos with Abbey for the Caln Newsletter. Dawn said she’d like to see the images first, and it was realized not all Hx Com members had received the draft article. Lorraine said she’d resend, and Dawn requested that Abbey be asked to hold off on publishing until after we’d all reviewed it.
      2. Mark suggested that with the TTVW is only 60 days away, it might be best to hold off publishing the Schoolhouse Wedding article until the TTVW is behind us – we don’t want to have competing press releases for such an important event. Lorraine agreed, it would make for a great fall article.
   3. HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
      1. Mark E said changes to HPO are complete, still working on Hx Resource list. Changes are based on guidelines to meet CLG eligibility as shared by Jim Buczala of CCHPN and Megan McNish of the SHPO.
   4. CALN AT RISK
      1. Tom Parr reported that the farmer has been at Lloyd Farm on a couple of occasions in the last couple of weeks. Doesn’t appear to have planted anything yet, but corn doesn’t need to be in the ground before the end of May, so there’s still’’ time. He’s had trouble reconnecting with Peggy Chillan at Copeland Run School re visiting Mary Louise Lloyd’s house, but will try again. There have been rumors that the Farm is up for sale.
      2. Nat Belluso introduced himself as an attorney who used to live here and has a strong affinity for Lloyd Far. He’s now in West Chester but would like to help preserve Lloyd Farm any way he can. Mark addressed Mr. Belluso and said unfortunately the farm is privately owned, so neither the township or the historical commission has any power over what the owner or a potential buyer does there as long as it complies with the township zoning ordinance. The Hx Com has been active in trying to save the farm over the years, and that he himself had been a leader of the SLF movement before becoming a Twp Commissioner. The best the Hx Com cn hope for is a buyer who believes in historic preservation, and a seat at the table when the township is discussing any potential development of the farm. He added that both he and Tom heard many rumors about a pending sale while working at Lloyd Park Riparian Buffer Tree Maintenance Day. Rumor is that a major health care facility was interested in buying the farm. He added that a hospital wouldn’t fit there, but something the size of the medical offices at Penn Medicine Valley Forge or Mainline Health Concordville would not only fit but take up less than 1/3 of the land. Since the owner/developer’s original plan called for using the entire farm in order to make a profit, and any health care facility that might come in wouldn’t need to exploit everything to realize a strong ROI, they would be more likely to save the house and ruins and provide many amenities to satisfy the local residents. Tom P added it would be a win/win if that is what happens.       
      3. Vice-Chair Coughlan asked if there was anything new on the Buchanan House. Mark said not that he knew of.
3. EDGES’ MILL HISTORIC DISTRICT UPDATE

1. No report.
2. Mark reported no progress made in PAShare, he’s been too occupied with TTVW.

1. SCHOOLHOUSE TOURS
   1. Dawn said she’d spoken with Cathy who reported that 5/7 was a great first tour of the year with a nice group of visitors. The children loved Santa’s Workshop. Donna shared her experience as a “trainee” that day, it was her first time in the schoolhouse and learned a lot. Tom and Chris Parr are hosting the June tour, Donna D has July 2nd and will be accompanied by Mark and Licia, Lisa Shields is scheduled for August 6th and Mark said he may be able to help that day as well. 
   2. Tom P has the key for those tour guides who need one.
   3. Tom reported on lighting the schoolhouse. Chief Elias suggested installing hard wired puck lights on the outside above each window. Abbey S is getting a quote for the puck lights. He added that Paul Mullen had wanted the house better lit, and Abbey is having an electrician look at the flood light outside the back of the house that is not working. 
2. OCHS LIASON REPORT
   1. Dawn reported that the May 6th OCHS Flea Market was their best ever and thanked the Hx Com members who helped out. She said they sold their first Spackman-Davis Farm print and had some wonderful items. The high-quality items that did not sell that day will be available for purchase at the Downingtown Vintage Flea Market.
3. FINANCE UPDATE
   1. Donna reported that there have been no new expenditures and that our available budget funds remain at $925.
   2. Our 2023 CCHPN membership has been comped by CCHPN as a gesture for failing to meet the deadline to publish our should Fall Ledger ad. Dawn C asked that we thank Jim B at the CCHPN BOD dinner.
   3. Donna noted that Dawn had suggested we consider funding the purchase of a historically accurate 26-Star Flag for the Schoolhouse. Patty D said the Pimms were Quakers, and since were pacificists they didn’t typically have American flags on their property. Mark E asked this be tables until we find out more about Quakers use of American flags.
   4. Donna also noted Dawn had suggested we look into having Mr. Pimm’s schoolhouse portrait repaired. Mark noted that until we know what the cost of the TTVW will be, we should hold off. Dawn thought it would be a good idea to have the portraits appraised – a no cost option to better our understanding of their value and whether or not the one needs to be repaired. All agreed.

Vice-Chair Coughlan asked for a motion to approve temporarily removing the Pimm portraits from the schoolhouse to be appraised.
Moved by Mark E
Second by Patty D
Vote called by Vice-Chair Coughlan
Motion passed 7-0

1. ANNUAL REPORT FOR BOC
   1. Mark reported Paul Mullin commented on the 2022 annual report at the 4/27 BOC Meeting. He was impressed with the report and what we’ve been able to accomplish. Inquired what PAShare was and what we use it for and asked for clarification on some terminology. Finance Director Lisa Swan said she’d like to read it and asked for a copy. Mark sent one to her electronically.
2. 2023 TTVW STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT
   1. Mark reported the Steering Committee met on Sunday April 30th and Sunday May 7th, and they’ve been having a ball! He wanted to give updates on some of what they’ve been working on and share a presentation with the full group. He asked that everyone jot down questions as we go and wait until after the presentation to ask them as many of those questions may be answered along the way.

• The TTVW is tentatively called “Time Machine” and will literally be a trip through time at the farm. Guests will park on the hill across from the farm, register, and enjoy period-correct refreshments both before and after the tour. They’ll be ferried back and forth from hill to farm by an air-conditioned Replica Historic Trolley.
• Once guests arrive at the farm they travel from point to point by foot or by golf cart (as needed). At each stop they’ll meet an actor portraying a specific character, not just someone reading from a tour script. We’ll have semi-pro actors to fill any roles not filled by Hx Com members. Guests will enter the barn, look in open doors on the house, see inside the schoolhouse-smokehouse, the springhouse, the root cellar and the stable. When they depart from the parking lot they’ll do a drive-by of Edges Mill District and end up at Beaver Creek Tavern. Here’s a presentation we put together. There will be “background” characters along the way. Farm animals including horses, a steer, chickens, and we’re working on sheep.
  1. Mark then shared a Storyboard Powerpoint presentation. After which he added the following updates: 

• Donna secured the limited liability insurance certificate from the township, and it's been sent on to CCPC.
• Dawn spoke with Stuart at Beaver Creek Tavern and they're very excited to be the final stop on the tour. We can set up stationary exhibits and have a couple of reenactors inside and outside the tavern.
• Dawn spoke with Cathy who has graciously offered to let us use her beautiful large bell. We just need to take it down and out it back up when we’re finished with it.
• Mark picked up our brochures from the county last week and they look great! He forgot to bring the box with him, but Tom and Patty had brochures to show everyone.
• Mark reported that we received a quote of $2100 from the trolley company, which is way more than our annual budget. We have a couple of individuals who have offered to donate the funds needed to OCHS earmarked for the trolley rental. Dawn added that the last time there was a trolley rental that the grant was applied for by the township and earmarked for OCHS.
• CCPC Planner Joe Shanley has offered to take drone footage of the tour routes that would be used to promote the tours on CCPC’s social media channels. Dawn asked if that was only for us or for all tour sites. Mark said it was for all. We’ll need to get permission from the township.
• We’ll present our plan to the BOC meeting at their 5/25 BOC meeting. This is where we’ll seek assistance on matters of hill access, traffic control, and use of golf carts. Mark and Dawn asked that all Hx Com members prioritize being at the BOC meeting in person that night. Lisa said she’d be in Seattle but will try to attend by zoom.
• Mark and Lisa will be getting down to writing the actual character scripts soon.​‌
• Licia's and Donna’s costumes have arrived, and they look great! Patty added that she’d also purchased a new costume.
• Tom reported he’d been in touch with Len at Taylor Music and John Hayes at Rentex regarding renting lavaliers with waistband amplifiers. Mark clarified the difference between a lavalier and the headset mics being supplied by the CCPC. Between our rentals and what will be provided we’ll have enough. All agreed that the tour group guides need not be amplified.
• Patty and Dawn will work on flowers for the porch and at key locations around the house.
• Patty reported that the farmer has been planting, fingers crossed that it’s corn!
• Lisa said she has the first aide kit we’ll need for the day and gave it to Tom to hold onto (Chris Parr will be onsite RN for the event).

A lengthy Q and A discussion and idea sharing followed:
Q: How to handle questions asked by tourists? We need to keep things moving and don’t want to break the 4th wall between the actor and the audience any more than necessary. We have to keep each tour to only 30-minutes.
A: Mark suggested that at registration, visitors are encouraged to not interact with the actors, and hold all questions for after they’ve returned from the farm to the hill. Patty suggested each group be assigned a guide to keep things moving along. Mark said that the script will call for people to leave one area for the next, but that extra nudge would be great. Tom suggested that the tour time clock starts when the visitors arrive at the Bank Barn.
Q: Concerned about livestock – how do we keep the guests safe? How is livestock transported to us? How do we keep the livestock safe? Where will they be located?
A: Guests will be forbidden from getting near the livestock, and unassuming typical farm-like chicken wire barriers will be out in place.
George at Jefferis Family Farm offered to provide chickens which will be kept in vintage coops we found inside the barn. The chicken coops will be used in the barn, and along the meadow where the windmill used to stand.
His brother Dan (who actually worked the farm when the Zinn’s were caring for it) will bring 2 horses – one to be tied up in the paddock below the barn, the other to be tied up at the stable near the schoolhouse - there’s plenty of hay already at each location to keep them busy and happy.
The idea of having the steers offered by George Jefferis was nixed as they can get a bit nasty.
Lisa S said she might have a connection for a cow and/or a calf and will look into it right away. The cow/calf could be at one of 3 locations – in the barn or in the meadow.
Donna said she’s been in discussions with Audrey at 4H for sheep but they haven’t been able to guarantee anything. Donna is friends with the owner of Foreg Hill Farms and will contact her for sheep. The sheep will be kept on ropes in the meadow with a spinning wheel nearby for ambience. Patty added that she knows someone at 4H she’ll also nudge.
 
Q: Parking: What is the condition of the roadway leading up the hill and how do we organize parking situation?
A: Mark said Jeff had put together a draft parking diagram. Mark said the diagram was great, only that it needed to be edited with the parking area and registration area are swapped out. Tom said he and Jeff had checked out the area and there was more than enough room for 300+ cars up there, and a registration and refreshment table and for the Trolley to park. Our personal cars can be used to establish parking lanes and cones be added for definition.
The dirt/gravel road is a little bumpy, but no more than should be expected. There is a large dip at the entrance curb to the driveway that needs to be filled with some gravel.
We’ll have tents to cover the registration and refreshment tables as the sun will be low in the sky and directly on them at that time of day.
Mark suggested we have a generator up there to power a large fan or two. He will circulate the draft parking plan for all to see.
 
Q: What doors will be open? What will visitors see? What props do we need?
A: The lower barn door will be open with a view of the paddock. The upper barn north door will be open, and visitors will be allowed inside. There will be a demarcation line for how far inside they can go. Tom noted there were some tools in there, some saws – we’ll need to double check.
The house will have 2 doors open – the west entrance to the living room and the east kitchen door. No one will be allowed inside. We’ll need to clean up some, and more some things around so visitors don’t see the computer printer and where the floor has buckled. Dawn said she has a friend who can lend us mannequins for inside the doors, worst case we use cardboard cutouts. Props for the kitchen include an antique flour sifter, iron, lemon squeezer, cherry pitter, bean pot, and mixing bowls. For the living room there’s a firewood rack and other items. Most tours have empty houses, the more we can fill and decorate, the better.
The root cellar, schoolhouse, stable, and springhouse doors will all be open. No one will be permitted inside. Patty and Dawn said OCHS has a school desk, a chalkboard easel, and bell for inside the schoolhouse – perhaps the desk can stay there after the tour is over. There are also a basket of eggs, a metal milk jug, and a butter churn is easy to replicate for outside the springhouse. Leah may have a spinning wheel.
Tom said we’ll need a generator near the springhouse building to power lights inside the schoolhouse and springhouse.
The Front southern porch will be barricaded off, but the 1940’s glider will be painted by Tom P and placed between the 2 doors.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS:

1. It was suggested that we choose a day when all members of the steering committee can do a walkthrough of the farm. We compared our schedules and decided on Saturday June 3rd, time TBD. We’ll need keys unless Abbey is willing to spend part of her Saturday walking us around. We would prefer not to ask her for more than she’s already doing, we don’t want to overburden anyone. We’ll schedule steering committee meeting after the 5/25 presentation to the BOC.

 

1. Vice-Chair Coughlan reported that Mark E had suggested we reschedule our June and July meetings due to conflicts, and that she and Chair Stephens agreed with the changes:
   1. Mark shared that our June meeting regularly scheduled for the 21st would be the same night of the CCHPN Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner, and since we’ve been nominated for the Municipality Award, it would be great if we could all be at the dinner. Tom P asked if we knew anything about non-members being allowed to attend. Mark said he’d ask on Friday at the CCHPN BOD meeting.  

Vice-Chair Coughlan asked for a motion to reschedule our June meeting to Wednesday June 14th.
Moved by Tom P
Second by Mark E
Vote called by Vice-Chair Coughlan
Motion passed 7-0

1. Mark shared that our July meeting, regularly scheduled for the 19th would be the night before our TTVW

Vice-Chair Coughlan asked for a motion to reschedule our July meeting to Wednesday July 12th.
Moved by Tom P
Second by Donna D
Vote called by Vice-Chair Coughlan
Motion passed 7-0

1. Dawn C if we could invite Abbey Swan as our guest for the CCHPN Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner, and purchase her ticket? Mark thought that was a great idea and added that we should also allow her to invite a guest. He shared that the CCHPN has been slow to get info out on the dinner but that the last he heard they were discussing a ticket price of $20-$25 each.

Vice-Chair Coughlan asked for a motion to invite Abbey Swan +1 to be our guests at the June 21st CCHPN CCHPN Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner.
Moved by Tom P
Second by Donna D
Vote called by Vice-Chair Coughlan
Motion passed 7-0
 
ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chair Coughlan asked for a motion to adjourn.
Moved by Mark E
Second by Donna D
Vote called by Vice-Chair Coughlan
Motion passed 7-0
Meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM
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